Chey Dunkley and Andy Whing are set to continue their experimental defensive partnership for Oxford United today.

The pair had not played alongside each other at centre half until last weekend, when a head injury to Johnny Mullins saw Whing come off the bench against Cambridge United.

Concussion rules out Mullins for the trip to Newport County, while skipper Jake Wright is also not fit (groin).

Sam Long is the only alternative centre back in the senior squad, but his form means head coach Michael Appleton is reluctant to move him from right back.

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He said: “Apart from the obvious two in Jake and Mulls we’re looking alright.”

Newport caretaker manager Jimmy Dack is due to pick the Newport team for the final time, with newly-appointed boss Terry Butcher due to be just spectating.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Newport County: from Day, Jackson, Feely, Poole, Tutonda, Chapman, Klukowski, Byrne, Minshull, O’Connor, Storey, Collins, Parker, Owen-Evans, Jeffers, Parsell, Patten, Stephens.

Oxford Utd: from Ashdown, Long, Dunkley, Mullins, Skarz, MacDonald, Collins, Ruffels, Rose, Hylton, Roofe, Hoban, Roberts, Vassell, O’Dowda, Humphreys, Hawtin, Ashby, Meades, Clarke.